A European idea to help end the
devastating conflict in Gaza is gaining traction: Develop Gaza's port to
reopen the besieged territory to the rest of the world through a
Cypriot port, with international monitors assuring that no weapons get
through.
Across Europe, governments are warming to the proposal to give the 43-kilometer (27-mile) strip on Israel's southern border such an economic lifeline. After all, Gaza was a thriving port in ancient times.
From Berlin to London to the European Union headquarters in Brussels, a blueprint for a post-war Gaza centers both on meeting Israeli security needs and on developing Gaza to improve living conditions there. The latter implies that borders with neighbors Israel and Egypt — and the sea — be as transparent as conditions allow.
"It's very important that the blockage of Gaza is lifted so that there can be movement of necessary goods, materials," said EU Commission spokesman Peter Stano. "That means all the blocked border crossings need to be opened so that Gaza can really develop."
Hamas has demanded the lifting of an Israeli and Egyptian blockade imposed on the coastal territory after the Islamic militant group seized power in 2007. Israel has said the militants must disarm first. The two demands are currently on the table in indirect Israel-Hamas talks in Cairo on a permanent ceasefire deal for Gaza.
The talks are also meant to prepare the ground for sustainable calm on the Gaza-Israel border, following a month of fighting that claimed the lives of nearly 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis.
Germany and France have already proposed to re-activate the EU border mission in Rafah with Egypt but there is also an emerging consensus in Europe that the development of the Gaza port should be an integral part of the reconstruction effort, officials in several EU capitals said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the precarious nature of the current ceasefire and the uncertainty of the peace process.
Read more: European nations pressing for Gaza port development as part of reconstruction plans | Fox Business
Across Europe, governments are warming to the proposal to give the 43-kilometer (27-mile) strip on Israel's southern border such an economic lifeline. After all, Gaza was a thriving port in ancient times.
From Berlin to London to the European Union headquarters in Brussels, a blueprint for a post-war Gaza centers both on meeting Israeli security needs and on developing Gaza to improve living conditions there. The latter implies that borders with neighbors Israel and Egypt — and the sea — be as transparent as conditions allow.
"It's very important that the blockage of Gaza is lifted so that there can be movement of necessary goods, materials," said EU Commission spokesman Peter Stano. "That means all the blocked border crossings need to be opened so that Gaza can really develop."
Hamas has demanded the lifting of an Israeli and Egyptian blockade imposed on the coastal territory after the Islamic militant group seized power in 2007. Israel has said the militants must disarm first. The two demands are currently on the table in indirect Israel-Hamas talks in Cairo on a permanent ceasefire deal for Gaza.
The talks are also meant to prepare the ground for sustainable calm on the Gaza-Israel border, following a month of fighting that claimed the lives of nearly 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis.
Germany and France have already proposed to re-activate the EU border mission in Rafah with Egypt but there is also an emerging consensus in Europe that the development of the Gaza port should be an integral part of the reconstruction effort, officials in several EU capitals said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the precarious nature of the current ceasefire and the uncertainty of the peace process.
Read more: European nations pressing for Gaza port development as part of reconstruction plans | Fox Business
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